Buy a copy of CONTROL!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Sweat 'till you can't sweat no more

I was doing Bikram yoga the other day. It's a kind of yoga where you hold these poses in an 105˚F room with 40% humidity.

It was hot. I was soaked.
I mean, my shins were sweating. And I am not the kind of girl who gets shweddy shins.

Anyway, as I contorted and cursed, this is what went through my rapidly shriveling mind.

No. Just--no.

So somewhere between the Triangle pose and the No pose, I had a blogging revelation.

I didn't have enough bodily fluids left to think clearly. But more importantly, I didn't have enough bodily fluids left to blog.

I've felt horribly guilty about not keeping to my blog schedule recently. I've tweeted about it; I've stayed up late worrying about it. My stress level has been though the roof for multiple reasons (hence my attempts at finding Zen via body-wringing Bikram).

I've been blogging for nearly two years. Back then, I decided that I'd commit to a thrice weekly blogging schedule, and I stuck to it almost every week. But my own rules have come to bite me in the butt, because they've caused lost sleep and ignoring things that have been important to me.

And so--this hurts for me to say, because I'm a stick-to-my-obligations kind of person--you may see me blog a bit less in the coming months. *deep breath*

I promise I won't disappear.

But I will promise that when I blog, it's because I'm doing it with joy, and not as a dry obligation.

You guys deserve that. And so do I.

***

What about you? Have ever had to cut back on blogging, or had a major shift in your blogging goals?

****

Please drop by Laura Diamond's blog where she answers my question this month for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog: Outside of your writing friends, do other people (work, family, friends) know you blog? What do they think of it? I'm up next week!

Oh yes!! When I first started I was posting two -four times A DAY!! LOL! Now I've cut back to one blog post once a week and try to cut back on my commenting on weekends. It truly can get all too much!!

I've been cutting back, too. And these past two weeks I cut back even more, without even realizing it - too much stuff going on in life to even be able to think about blogging. For me, I would rather read infrequent but good posts than a post every day that says absolutely nothing. So, I figured, why don't I blog that way?

So that's what I'm trying. And I think it's awesome that you're letting go of your guilt and doing what's best for you and for your blog. And I'm kind of in awe over your yoga abilities - I couldn't even do one of those poses.

I am definitely going through a desert experience at the moment in relation to words, or to be more accurate, the lack of them. I called my blog 'Passionatemusings' because writing has been the one aspect of my life which I didn't have to 'work' at. If I was to post anything at the moment it would be forced and lacking an emotional connection. I believe the words deserve much more than that. Be true to yourself I say...writing out of a sense of obligation can compromise the great love we have for this wonderful gift. Best wishes.

I only blog usually once a week because it feels like all I can handle. These next few months I'll be blogging more to spotlight some extra books. But then I'm going back to the once a week. Because with reading others blogs, I've got to have time to write. Don't feel bad about cutting back though maybe pick one or two days a week that you will blog so we know when to look for you.

I too am thinking along the same lines that for some time I should blog just once a week. There are too many things vying for my attention and I hate not being able to visit the blogs that I normally visit.

I'm really not particular that someone stick to a schedule. I'd rather read meaningful posts than something just thrown together for the sake of "I need to post something." (Haven't gotten that vibe from you FYI, but just saying in general...)

I've been a blog slacker lately, but then again, this is the time of year when I pretty much slack on anything creative. But, now it's April, and the slacking has to end. I wouldn't worry about it, if I were you. You've got a lot on your plate right now, and whether you blog once a week or three times a week, I'll still stop by when you do post. (Even if I don't always comment.)

Yup. I was blogging 3 times a week, but it made me a little crazy. And sweaty (and there wasn't any yoga involved). Now I am at twice a week, but I don't know if I can keep that up either. Anne R. Allen has a great post on slow blogging. :)

Don't feel bad. I've had to do the same thing as well. I've always felt guilt when I couldn't get blogging done on schedule (obviously the type A personality coming out) but I just wasn't enjoying it because I was so stressed. I feel much better now I've taken the rules away from myself.

I've gone from blogging twice a week to once a week. I felt a bit guilty about this transition, too, but stressing over blogging (and losing sleep) is not good. Not. Good. Even twisty, sweaty yoga can't make up for that kind of not good. Cheers to smart decisions!

Good for you for sweatin' it out in Bikram. I couldn't do it. I complain when I'm slightly too hot so I think I'd die in those conditions!

As for blogging, it seems a lot of people are going through this lately, including me. Lots of people are cutting back, and for good reason. There's a lot to juggle! I wouldn't worry about cutting back on your blogging schedule.

A brilliant revelation. Yoga is fantastic for that, isn't it?! I have cut back and there are days when I don't post (though I never go a week without posting) because I'm just too busy. I think it's wise to cut back now and then so you can focus on what you need to.

Lady, I get blog guilt all the time, so I feel you. But sometimes other things in life (like evil colds) come along and really just kick you in the teeth, and blogging has to fall by the way side. Don't feel bad. Like you said, blogging should be fun!

Oh, of course, Lydia! And as busy are YOU are, I don't know how you've managed to do it all this long. Please do whatever is BEST for YOU! Being stressed about your readers is just not worth it!! We will read whatever you post, whenever you post! Honest! Be good to YOU!

I knew from the get go that a once a week post was all I could handle. Even with that paltry blogging schedule, there are still days where I barely get my post written. Yikeser. I like your philosophy. Why write it if it's forced. No fun there.

Oh, your illustrations just crack me right up! I partake in Bikram torture on rare occasions and can completely relate to the "schweddy shins" of which you speak. Oy.

I can't relate to how much pressure blogging three times per week is, however. I can't even commit to once per week, although I try. The most important thing is that you enjoy doing it. I'm so glad you're cutting yourself some slack, because you bring lots of joy to your readers and we don't want you to stop.

I think it's awesome that you're reevaluating and doing what works best for you now. I'm terrible at blogging consistently and it always makes me feel guilty -- I've even considered just shutting down my blogs -- but I'm always so proud of myself when I do manage to post something, haha. So yeah, I'll probably just continue to post when the mood strikes. :)

I have seriously considered only posting once a week (currently post twice). I think I need to just go ahead and do that, for I stress too much over getting two posts done, all the while not getting other important writing stuff done. All that to say, I understand. Take it easy, okay? :)

Oh, Lydia, you are so busy, who can blame you?? And oooh, may I ask a question about this? I'm getting very close to starting another blog all my own (my Critique Sisters each have their own and have for a long time). My mind tells me once a week is the right choice. But when I look at what I'd like to cover, I think three times a week is what it will take. Can two times a week work?? Sheesh. I'm a mass of confusion. :( p.s. congrats on getting through the schweddy shins. You got your enlightenment, too!

You already know I totally feel you. It's hard to juggle everything with the same intensity all the time - there are times when you just have to cut back on certain things to make room for other things.

Medical Disclaimer

IN NO WAY SHOULD THE CONTENTS OF LYDIAKANG.BLOGSPOT.COM BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALL CONTENT ON THE SITE IS GENERAL IN NATURE, AND PROVIDED FOR FICTIONAL SCENARIOS ONLY. NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ OR MAYBE MIS-INTERPRETED ON THIS WEBSITE, OR ANY LINKS RELATED TO IT.

The materials provided on this site are for informational purposes and are not intended for use as diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional.

Check with a physician if you suspect you are ill, or believe you may have one of the problems discussed on this website, as many problems and disease states may be serious and even life-threatening.

Also note that medical information changes rapidly. Therefore, some information may be out of date, inaccurate, or erroneous. Neither this blog/website or it author(s) will be responsible for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented on this website.